Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Missouri Southern

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Missouri Southern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Missouri Southern is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Missouri Southern State University comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri Southern State University College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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Overview

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri Southern
Location Magnolia, AR Joplin, MO
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 5,094 4,144
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #911
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu mssu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri Southern
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $8,026
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $16,052
Room & Board $7,809 $7,624
Avg Net Price $14,056 $10,061
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $8,016
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri Southern
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 1,937
Admitted 1,855 1,927
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 99.5%
Enrolled % 38.1% 31.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 18/24
SAT Range 905/1190 960/1220
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri Southern
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri Southern
Graduation Rate 34% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $36,600
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $20,831
Median Loan Payment $175 $215

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri Southern
% Men 45% 38%
% Women 55% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 77%
% Black 28% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri Southern
% In-State 70% 70%
% Out-of-State 29% 28%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Missouri Southern
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than than Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (5,094 students vs. 4,144 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Missouri Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Missouri Southern?

  • Missouri Southern State University is 14.3% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($8,026.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.9% higher at Missouri Southern than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($16,052.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Southern State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,061 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 2.4% lower than costs at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($7,624 vs. $7,809)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Missouri Southern State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 16.2% larger than aid received Missouri Southern State University ($9,316 vs. $8,016)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Missouri Southern Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Missouri Southern? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Missouri Southern or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .

  • The average SAT score at Missouri Southern State University (1030) is 42 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming Missouri Southern students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Missouri Southern students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Missouri Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Missouri Southern? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Missouri Southern and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is higher than Missouri Southern State University (34% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn on average $1,300 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates after ten years. ($37,900 vs. $36,600)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $3,811 lower median federal student loan debt than Missouri Southern graduates. ($17,020 vs. $20,831)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than Missouri Southern graduates. ($175 vs. $215)
  • More Missouri Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/